Are You Losing Your Hair? Understand if it’s Hair Loss, Shedding or Breakage

Everyone loses hair and there is nothing uncommon about it if it is happening to you right now while you read this piece. Experts say, on an average, we lose close to about 50-100 strands of hair daily. It is just a sign that your scalp is going through its regular cycle of fall and regeneration. What has fallen will also grow back in due time so nothing to raise the red flag for just yet. So when should hair fall become a matter of concern for you? Unexplained hair loss can be scary and a matter of grave concern for anyone. When you lose swathe of hair every time you wash them or comb them or run your fingers through them then it definitely is not a very good feeling to live with. If you are concerned by the amount of hair falling off your scalp on a daily basis, you definitely need to seek help. But to get clarity on whether it is hair fall or hair shedding or both, and the reason behind it, you need to first understand the difference between the two.

Difference between hair shedding & hair loss:

If you have been leaving behind a trail of hair wherever you go (on pillow, sofa, hair brush, washroom etc.) then you probably are suffering from a case of excessive hair shedding. While the reasons for your hair loss or hair fall could be many, the most common among them could be:

Weight fluctuation

Pregnancy

Stress

Poor hair & scalp health

Illness

Hormonal imbalance

Genetics

Excessive use of hair products & chemicals

The phenomenon of hair loss or hair fall is also referred to as alopecia or baldness. It occurs because scalp hair grows in cycle and each hair follicle undergoes a growth stage that lasts two to eight years, followed by a two-month resting stage where no growth occurs. Then, the hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow in its place. Under normal circumstances, for a healthy person 80% to 90% of hair follicles are growing hair at one point in time while the rest of the follicles are shedding. If there is a loss of more than 125 strands in a day, the situation can be alarming and might require you to take charge of the situation and stop the problem of hair shedding and hair fall in the tracks.

There are many types of alopecia:

Involutional alopecia:

It is a natural condition in which the hair gradually and naturally thin with age.

Androgenic alopecia:

As the name suggests, it is a condition that can affect both men and women. It is characterized by a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. Women, as compared to men who can show signs of baldness as early as in their 20s, with this condition do not experience noticeable thinning till the age of 40.

Alopecia areata:

It often starts suddenly and causes patchy hair fall in children and adults. This condition may result in complete baldness but in most cases hair grow back to their normal volume in few years.

Alopecia universalis:

It is a condition that causes hair to fall from all parts of the body including eyebrows, pubic area, head & eyelashes.

Telogen effluvium:

It is a temporary hair thinning condition that occurs due to changes in the growth cycle of the hair. A large number of hair enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning.

Home remedies for hair fall:

Nervous about losing an excessive amount of your hair by the day? We have got you covered some super home remedies for hair fall and tips that you can easily try and save yourself from the nightmare of losing any more of your beautiful and gorgeous hair.

Hair oil massage:

The first step to tackling any hair related problem is to massage your hair & scalp with oil. Proper hair massage with Dabur Amla Hair Oil or Vatika Enriched Coconut Hair Oil will increase blood flow to hair follicles, condition the scalp from deep within, enhance the strength of each strand from root to tip, nourish the hair and add natural shine to them.

Fenugreek hair mask:

As one of the best hair fall home remedies, apply a fenugreek mask on your hair. Just soak a cup of fenugreek in water overnight and grind it into a paste the next morning; apply the paste on hair; leave it for 40 minutes; rinse with water. Fenugreek contains protein & nicotinic acids that enhance hair growth and rebuild hair follicles.

Aloe vera:

As a hair fall home remedy, aloe vera contains enzymes that naturally promote hair growth and its regular use on the scalp relieves it of itching and dandruff and adds luster & strength to the hair. Just apply aloe vera juice or gel directly to scalp and leave it on for 30-40 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

Beetroot:

It is among the best home remedies for hair loss as it is rich in potassium, calcium, vitamin B & C, protein and other essential nutrients that the scalp requires for promotion of healthy hair. To try this home remedy for hair growth, grind few pre-boiled beetroot leaves with henna and apply on the hair. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it with water.

Tips & other home remedies for hair growth:

Don’t stress:

Hair fall could be a side effect of too much of stress. So throw stress out of your system and learn to relax and chill out if healthy and lustrous hair is what you want!

Re-evaluate your hair care:

Negligence or lack of a proper hair care routine can cause your hair to fall, get week at the roots and break. Avoid using excessive of chemically treated hair products on your scalp as it can lead to the problem of inflammation and hair damage. Always apply herbal or natural products and keep your scalp clean by washing it with a mild shampoo like Vatika Hair Fall Treatment Shampoo.

Eat healthy:

Eat a well-balanced diet that takes care of your daily requirement of proteins, vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids that are essential for growth of thick and healthy hair.

Sleep well:

A goodnight’s sleep goes a long way in reversing the effects of hair damage and prevent premature hair loss.

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